Houston’s Distracted Pedestrians: Are They as Dangerous as Distracted Drivers? Houston Personal Injury Attorney Steve Lee Weighs In
Houston drivers frequently take heat for driving while distracted, but our drivers are not the only ones who are guilty of texting and playing video games while mobile. Distracted pedestrians are becoming a serious problem.
Recent reports indicate that injuries to distracted pedestrians have more than quadrupled in the past seven years. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that people cannot pay adequate attention to their surroundings while doing something else. Most of us have observed this firsthand. Plus, online videos show walkers who were using electronic devices shortly before tumbling into a fountain, falling onto a train track, and coming within a few feet of a bear!
Distracted Pedestrians Are Dangerous to Both Themselves and Others
A distracted pedestrian is a walker who is focused on something other than walking. He or she may be talking on a cell phone, reading a map, texting a friend, listening to music with headphones, or even reading an electronic book.
Distracted walkers may suffer serious injuries. A distracted pedestrian might walk into a pole, stumble off a sidewalk into traffic, or fall in front of a subway train. More disturbing, distracted pedestrians’ negligence in safely navigating sidewalks may cause serious injuries to others. If a distracted pedestrian steps in front of a car, the car’s driver might swerve into another car to avoid striking the pedestrian. Similarly, a bicyclist trying to avoid a distracted walker might ride off the road and crash.
What Can a Houston Driver Do to Avoid a Collision Caused by a Distracted Pedestrian?
Houston auto accident Attorney Steve Lee offers the following tips to avoid a traffic accident caused by a distracted pedestrian:
- Anticipate distracted pedestrians, especially when in downtown Houston and in other pedestrian-heavy areas. Know that pedestrians looking at electronic devices and wearing headphones may not respond to either the sight of your car or the sound of your horn.
- When driving near pedestrians, slow down.
- Yield to pedestrians. Be prepared to accommodate them. A pedestrian-vehicle accident is a one-sided affair with devastating injuries.
- Avoid distractions. Putting away your own electronic devices enables you to react quickly.
Have You Been Involved in an Accident in Which a Distracted Person Played a Role?
If you have been hurt in a Houston auto accident in which a distracted driver or a distracted walker played a role, you may need an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you. Houston accident Attorney Steve Lee dedicates his practice to helping accident victims recover money for their injuries. For a free consultation, contact Mr. Lee at 1-800-232-3711 or fill out an online contact form.